Toolpost

ABSTRACT

A toolpost wherein a clamp for a toolholder is moved into gripping relation with the toolholder by a rotatable disc with an arcuate cam slot, that moves the clamp; the slot disposed eccentrically with the axis of rotation of the cam.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Hans Scheideler 7100 Boulevard East, Guttenberg, NJ. 07093 [2]] Appl. No. 855,616 [22] Filed Sept. 5, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [54] TOOLPOST 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. (I 82/37 [5 l Int. (I 82311 29/26 [50] fieldofSearch 82/36, 36 37 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,024,686 3/1962 Daugusta 82/36 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,091,194 10/1954 France Pnmary ExaminerLeonidas Vlachos AttorneyPopper, Bain and Bobis I ABSTRACT: A toolpost wherein a clamp for a toolholder is moved into gripping relation with the toolholder by a rotatable disc with an arcuate cam slot, that moves the clamp; the slot disposed eccentrically with the axis of rotation of the cam.

Patented May 4, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR SCHEI DELER HANS ATTORNEYS roowosr BACKGROUND OF INVENTION l. Field of Invention This invention relates to toolposts for latches generally, and specifically, to toolposts that rigidly grip a toolholder to the post by rotary cam action exerted on a clamp.

2. Prior Art Numerous varieties of toolposts are in use. Many are complex, have numerous parts, are of open design that admits chips and dirt, so that they must be cleaned frequently. Many use springs, which usually permit a loose, inaccurate fit of paits, resulting in inaccurate position of the toolholder. Complexity makes for disrepair, and a short life of the conventional toolpost. If cumbersome, the toolpost is not suitable for small lathes, and if the design is small, it cannot be adapted for heavy-duty lathes. Above all, quick adjustment and readjustment, accomplished in simplicity, and with ease is often absent from the conventional toolpost design.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It has been found that a toolpost can be provided with at least one clamp that may be cammed into gripping relation with a toolholder, to quickly and easily hold it, or release it. The clamp is engaged by a pin with accurate slots in a rotary cam, which is actuated by a handle. The small number of parts makes the toolpost inexpensive. Its simplicity'of design permits its use in a large number of toolpost sizes. It can be made insizes suitable for jewelers lathes, or medium horsepower, and multihorsepower lathes. It is highly reliable, and durable. Not only does it provide for positive gripping of a toolholder, but also for positive release; this is accomplished without springs which are common in conventional design toolposts, which are frequently known to jam. it is also notable for highly accurate positioning of the toolholder withrespect to the lathe axis. It is provided with keyed studs which insures radial movement of clamps toward the clamping surface of the body; precise clamping is obtained. Finally, theclosed design of the toolpost keeps out most dirt and chips so that frequent cleaning is not required.

THE DRAWINGS These objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages are attained by the device shown by way of illustration in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in perspective of the parts of the toolpost spacially displaced;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the toolpost assembly with one clamp spacially displaced, and the spacers removed;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The toolpost provides a body 11 in the form of a hollow block. A vertical bore 12 is provided to admit a cylindrical cam 13. There is also provided, a first horizontal bore 14, in one side of the body 11, and a second horizontal bore 15 in an adjacent side of the body 11. A clamp 16 is provided for the first bore 14. The clamp 16 has one dovetail edge 17 and one flat edge 18. The clamp 16 has a back, generally rectangular portion 19 that fits into a vertical channel 20. One sidewall 21 of the channel has a high side 22 which includes another dovetail edge 23. A bifurcated stud 24 extends rearwardly from the portion'19. An enlargement or key 25 is provided on the back of the stud 24. The stud 24 is'also provided with a vertical bore 26 to receive a pin 27.

The toolpost 11 has a second vertical channel 30. A second clamp 31 is provided that fits the other vertical channel The second clamp 31, unlike the first clamp, may be provided with two, opposite dovetails 33, 34. The second clamp 31 also has a bifurcated stud 35, a pinhole 36 in each bifurcation, and an enlargement or key 37.

A circular-disc cam 40 is placed in the vertical bore 12 and seated on a shoulder 41 in a position to receive the bifurcated studs 24, 35. The cam 40 has a pair of eccentric arcuate cam tracks 42. These tracks 42, 42 are located so as to be in registration with the vertical bore 26, 36 in the studs 24, 35. Pins 27 are passed through each of the bores 26, 36 and the cam tracks 42, 42. Upon rotation of the cam 40, the pins 27 will act to retract or advance the clamps 16, 31 in a radial direction from the axis of rotation of the cam 40. The cam is rotated by a handle 43 passed through a slot 44 in the body 11, and seated in a socket in the cam 40.

A toolholder 45, provided with a dovetail slot 46 may be engaged with either of the clamps 16, 31. A tool slot 47 is provided in the holder 45 with set screws 48 for holding a tool.

A spacer 50 is inserted into the body 11. A cover plate 51 is formed integral with the spacer 50, and then bolted to the body 11. The bottom of the spacer 50 intimately and slideably engages the studs 24, 35 and the cam 40, retains the pins 27 in place, and engages the keys 25, 37 to affirmatively position the studs 24, 25.

The toolpost is mounted on a lathe by a bolt 55 passed through the cover plate 51, spacer 50 and body 11. A toolholder 45 has a tool (not shown) inserted and locked in the tool slot 47, and the dovetail slot 46 is engaged with either of the clamps 16, (31). The handle 43 is manipulated until the slot 42, (42) retracts the clamp 16, (31) and jams the tool.- holder 45 against the clamp 16, (31) by pressure exerted upon the toolholder 45 by the abutting surface of the body. The slots 42, (42) being arcuately eccentric, move the pins 27 radially, either inwardly or outwardly so that the studs operate the clamps 16, (31) inwardly or outwardly to seizethe engaged portions of the toolholder 45 andjam it against the embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention.

I claim:

1. A toolpost comprising:

a. a post with a stud passage extending to an annulus cavity,

b. a clamp,

c. a stud on the clamp slidably positioned in the stud d. a bifurcated end on the stud in the annulus cavity,

e. a rotatable'annulus in the annulus cavity,

f. an eccentric cam-slot in the rotatable annulus,

g. a pin attached to the bifurcated end -on the stud and passed through the cam-slot, whereby reciprocation of the annulus earns the pin to extend to retract the stud,

h. a lever passed through a slot in the post and attached to the annulus,

i. an offset enlargement on the clamp positioned for engagement with a toolholder,

j. a toolholder,

k. an offset enlargement on the toolholder interposed between the clamp' and the post and engageable therewith.

2. A toolpost according to claim 1 in which:

a. the offset enlargement on the clamp is male dovetail,

b. the offset enlargement on the toolholder is a female dovetail.

3. A'toolpost according to claim 1 in which:

a.' the offset enlargement on the clamp is one part of a male dovetail,

b. A complementary second half of a male dovetailisan integral part of the post,

c. an axle on the spacer inserted into an axial bore in the annulus. 6. A toolpost according to claim 1 and a handle extending through a wide passage in the post, and attached to the rotatable annulus, whereby the annulus may be reciprocated. 

1. A toolpost comprising: a. a post with a stud passage extending to an annulus cavity, b. a clamp, c. a stud on the clamp slidably positioned in the stud passage, d. a bifurcated end on the stud in the annulus cavity, e. a rotatable annulus in the annulus cavity, f. an eccentric cam-slot in the rotatable annulus, g. a pin attached to the bifurcated end on the stud and passed through the cam-slot, whereby reciprocation of the annulus cams the pin to extend to retract the stud, h. a lever passed through a slot in the post and attached to the annulus, i. an offset enlargement on the clamp positioned for engagement with a toolholder, j. a toolholder, k. an offset enlargement on the toolholder interposed between the clamp and the post and engageable therewith.
 2. A toolpost according to claim 1 in which: a. the offset enlargement on the clamp is male dovetail, b. the offset enlargement on the toolholder is a female dovetail.
 3. A toolpoSt according to claim 1 in which: a. the offset enlargement on the clamp is one part of a male dovetail, b. A complementary second half of a male dovetail is an integral part of the post, c. the offset enlargement on the toolholder is a female dovetail.
 4. A toolpost according to claim 1 in which the annulus cavity is a generally cylindrical, vertical bore in the post.
 5. A toolpost according to claim 1 and: a. an axial passage in the annulus, b. a spacer in the annulus cavity, c. an axle on the spacer inserted into an axial bore in the annulus.
 6. A toolpost according to claim 1 and a handle extending through a wide passage in the post, and attached to the rotatable annulus, whereby the annulus may be reciprocated. 